Town Council Work Session Summary - January 25, 2023

Thank you to all who joined us for the Town Council Work Session on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 8:30 AM in Municipal Hall.  The following is a summary of the meeting for those who could not attend. You may download a copy of the meeting packet for further details.  Please note that this is a summary and formal minutes from this meeting will be included in the following month's meeting packet.  

The following is the agenda for the meeting.

I. Call to Order: Mayor Carol Pritchett called the meeting to order.

II. Agenda Adoption: The meeting was adopted with the following changes.

III. Lake Lure Flowering Bridge Lease Review (A) and Request for Funding Assistance for Parking (B): 

A) Lease Review: Town Attorney William Morgan has drafted a proposed ground lease agreement between the Town of Lake Lure and the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge for the lease of Lake Lure Bridge No. 7 and a .36 acre lot (PIN #23163). The purpose of the proposed lease is to detail the responsibilities and liabilities of both the Town and the Flowering Bridge. The proposed was reviewed and discussed by Council and Lake Lure Flowering Bridge Chairperson Kathy Tanner (via Conference Call). 

B) Request for Funding Assistance for Parking: The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge has also requested the Town’s assistance with funding for parking. Town Manager Hank Perkins provided details regarding the request for discussion. 

IV. Discuss Request for Sewer Arrangement at 219 Marina Drive: Property owners of 219 Marine Drive have requested that the Town install a new sewer
line that will serve their neighborhood of approximately 50 deeded properties. The property owners further detailed in their request that they wish for the Town to install and pay for the line as a top priority, while the owners pay to connect to it. Public Services Director Dean Lindsey has obtained an estimate for the costs of completion.  Director Lindsey noted that the property owners would be required to execute necessary easement agreements if the Town wishes to proceed with the request. There was a discussion regarding the request. 

V. Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority Lease Review: The Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority rents the Community Center (2932 Memorial Highway) from the Town of Lake Lure. The prior lease agreement has expired and the Town has been leasing the property on a month-to-month lease until a lengthier lease could be drafted. Town Attorney William Morgan has drafted a proposed updated lease agreement. The proposed draft was reviewed and discussed by Council. They recommended obtaining fair market rate for leasing the property moving forward and draft a five-year lease.

VI. Lake Lure Tours Concession Agreement Review: A renewal is due for a Concession Agreement with Lake Lure Tours. Town staff has held
discussion with Mr. George Wittmer in regard to Agreement details and a draft Agreement has been prepared. Following the most recent meeting between Town staff and Mr. Wittmer, Mr. Wittmer proposed amendments to the Agreement in regarding to boat permitting percentage and the opening and closing of the beach. Town Manager Hank Perkins lead a discussion with regard to the draft Agreement and any recommended changes. Town COuncil agreed with the request to keep the beach closed during the drawdown period. We currently pay 5% for boat permits. The plan is to continue for the next year and reasssess the agreement.  

VII. Budget Amendment Request from LaBella Associates:  Town Manager Perkins and Public Services Director Lindsey presented the fact that the Water System Agreement with Fire Fly Cove has never been completed.  In order to complete this and submit it to the NC Department of Environmental Quality for approval.  LaBella has requested an additional $8,500 to complete these tasks.  A permit is also required to complete the work once the approvals have been obtained. 

VIII. Review Chimney Rock Village Proposed Agreement to Operate Water System: The existing Agreement to Operate Water System between the Town of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village will be expiring in April 2023. Lake Lure and Chimney Rock had previously issued notifications of intent to renew an agreement. Chimney Rock provided the Town of Lake Lure with a proposed agreement earlier in the month for the review of Town staff and Council. CRV has proposed a five-year term. Propose 15000 for the year and then 12,000 to come off of that. Hank plans to review the proposal with Mr. Duncan. 

IX.  Boat Permit Mailing Fee Discussion: Parks, Recreation, and Trail Coordinator Dana Bradly advised that the current fee for mailing boat permits is $4.25. The boat permits are sent through certified mail and currently, the actual cost to mail them is $4.84 or more, depending on where the permit is being mailed to. This price can increase at any point, if the Post Office raises their rates. There is also the cost of the envelope and the time it takes our staff to take it to the post office, fill out the certified letter, and keep track of the paperwork, so staff recommends adding a convenience fee into this, as well. Staff recommends an updated fee of $10.00 for mailing boat permits. Need to use fees in the general schedule for making copies, if requested.

X. Assessment of Town Property: There was a discussion regarding the assessment of properties including the ABC store and the Public Works Building.

XI: Discussion Regarding Draft Budget Amendment #346 for Deep Water Access: The Deep Water Access Project was originally budgeted under the ‘dredging’ line item. It has since been determined that it would be more appropriate for the Project to be removed from ‘dredging’ and placed in a capital project line item specific to the Deep Water Access Project. Budget Amendment #346 removes $120,000 from ‘dredging’ and transfers the amount into the capital project line item for Deep Water Access Project.

XII. Discussion Regarding Draft Budget Amendment #347 for Fire Department Specialized Air Compressor: Rutherford County is supplementing by equipment donation, including a specialized air compressor for fire services. The compressor was housed at the Spindale Fire Department. The Spindale Department recently obtained a new compressor and the Lake Lure Fire Department expressed interest in their former compressor. There was a county-wide chiefs’ vote to allow Lake Lure to have first pick in taking the former compressor. The Lake Lure Fire Department would benefit from the compressor because it will be useful until the Department obtains an improved compressor to fill SCBA and SCUBA tanks. Budget Amendment #347 allows the Town to make the following necessary repairs to the specialized air compressor.

XI. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:08 AM.